Overview

This epic-scale television miniseries about the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte, France's most celebrated military and political leader, has been given a suitably grand presentation on DVD. Napoleon has been transferred to disc in its original full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and the audio (in English) has been mastered in Dolby Digital Stereo. In addition to the full-length miniseries, this set also includes a wealth of additional material, including a bonus feature, "Napoleon and Wellington"; a Biography...

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Overview

This epic-scale television miniseries about the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte, France's most celebrated military and political leader, has been given a suitably grand presentation on DVD. Napoleon has been transferred to disc in its original full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and the audio (in English) has been mastered in Dolby Digital Stereo. In addition to the full-length miniseries, this set also includes a wealth of additional material, including a bonus feature, "Napoleon and Wellington"; a Biography Channel documentary, Napoleon Bonaparte: The Glory of France; a short feature on the production of the mini-series; a gallery of production photos; and biographies on key members of the cast and crew.

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble
- Gregory Baird

The truly spectacular rise and fall of one of history's most charismatic and controversial figures takes on epic-miniseries proportions in Napoleon, an eight-hour made-for-television extravaganza produced by A&E together with French, German, and English partners. The saga follows the Corsican-born soldier Christian Clavier from his career as a general in 1790s Republican France through his reign as self-crowned emperor to his defeat at Waterloo in 1815 and ultimate exile to St. Helena. It's a comprehensive account, delving deeply into Napoleon's military campaigns and political machinations while still finding time to explore his personal life, including his marriage to Josephine Isabella Rossellini. While this Napoleon is certainly no monster, he is not precisely heroic, either. Instead, Clavier's somewhat straightforward performance gives him a human face. This may disappoint those who hope to bask in the larger-than-life Napoleonic legend, and those expecting insights into one of history's most famed romances will find that this pair emits surprisingly few sparks. But this down-to-earth Napoleon works beautifully in extensive scenes of his political maneuverings and clashes, particularly those with his security chief, Fouché Gerard Depardieu and the diplomat Talleyrand John Malkovich. Malkovich is the standout here: His Talleyrand is clever and duplicitous beneath a blithely disinterested façade. Ultimately, even eight hours is not nearly enough time to portray a life lived on this scale, that of a man whose successes and failures gave birth to our modern world. But the scope of Napoleon and the magnificence of its locations, costumes, and battle scenes stand up to the weight of the history being portrayed. It's a grand epic about one of the world's last great men.

Los Angeles Times

A compelling portrait of an ambitious man who is more complicated and fascinating than the simple courageous conqueror or megalomaniacal despot many of us know from other version of his story.

Hollywood Reporter

Clavier displays a striking intensity in the lead that's altogether compelling and believable.

Variety

Matching the exquisite scenery, well-choreographed battles and beautiful costumes are performances that are full of personality and edge.
Clavier displays a striking intensity in the lead that's altogether compelling and believable.

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Customer Reviews

First1

Posted September 25, 2012

script is not up to par!!!

script is not up to par!!!

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

napoleon french leader

napoleon it's a great movies but i have seen a little problem with dvd collector edition napoleon he speaking french all the time in her life but the movies is translated only in english.the movies is really better in french original language and put on the dvd a translation in english for the peoples of USA and the rest of the world speaking english

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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